The golden retriever is one of the friendliest, most amiable dog breeds around, and one of the top choices for many American families as the favorite pet. This lovable breed is known for their agility and natural athleticism, making them great companions for both hunting and sports.
Golden retrievers have exceptionally high intelligence, making them great working dogs as well. They can track, hunt, and sniff out drugs. Not only that, but they are also fantastic therapy and support dogs. These friendly pups have it all. They are loving, beautiful, smart, and extremely loyal. No wonder the golden retriever is so popular!
The golden retriever resides in the sporting dogs breed group. Golden retrievers are about two feet tall at the shoulder on average, although some run slightly shorter. These pups are typically somewhere between 55 to 75 pounds in weight. Golden retrievers have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years of age.
Golden retrievers mature slowly. This means they keep their high energy, playful puppy’s spirit well into their third or fourth year. This is a double-edged sword that can prove to be great fun sometimes, and bordering on obnoxious in other situations. Some of these lively dogs even retain their energy and silliness far into old age.
The golden retriever was originally bred for physically intense jobs like retrieving small animals like ducks and birds for hunters. As a highly intelligent breed that is historically bred to work, the golden retriever needs plenty of exercises and a job to do. f
